Dear Potential New Member,
Thank you for taking the time to learn about how you can help your local volunteer fire department in Montgomery County, MD. I commend you for taking the time to learn about this extraordinary opportunity. According to the Cato Institute, a non-profit public policy research foundation headquartered in Washington, D.C, the number of fire department volunteers in the US has decreased 11 percent since 1983 (Stocker). Now more than ever, we need YOUR help to make our community strong and ensure that one of us is always available to, take the call.
Our membership is just as diverse as the community we serve; the most recent volunteer orientation class was 54% female, 47% minority and consisted of students between the ages of 16 and 66. We are seeking community minded individuals with a commitment to integrity and personal development. Our volunteer membership consists of physicians, nurses, lawyers, accountants, teachers, engineers, restaurant cooks, truck drivers, construction workers, trade workers, business development managers, students, reporters and marketing professionals. Opportunities to volunteer are not limited to firefighting and emergency medical services; the modern fire department needs grant writers, financial and tax consultants, web developers, legal advisors, PR professionals, graphic designers, HR managers, training directors, fundraising and major gift managers.
The first step in joining a local fire dept is to fill out a brief application. Once you complete the form, one of our knowledgeable recruiters will contact you and answer any questions you may have regarding the position in which you desire to volunteer. As part of the process the recruiter will contact you to speak with you about your available opportunities, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with expectations as a volunteer in Montgomery County. Once a suitable department is chosen, we will share your information with the department that best suits your needs, professional abilities and proximity to where you live. Following a light screening process, you will be admitted into a department as a probationary member.
If you have any additional questions related to the process of joining, feel free to reach out to me directly (recruiter@mcvfra.org).
Warm Regards,
Jonathan Shim
Recruitment and Retention Coordinator